The Reason

Chapter 3: Insults, First times, and Dates, Oh My!

Eric:

'You have a date today with Mia Thompson,  you lucky bastard'. Is what I thought this morning as I brushed my teeth.  Mia had fallen for my trap and did all my work, basically challenging me to take her out on a date.  I knew I didn't want to be late today, I wanted to to be the first person to remind Mia about our date. So I actually set up my alarm and was out of my house before it was seven o'clock.

I drove to school in my black Ford pick up, which needed a good cleaning before our date. I would have  some freshmen do it during lunch. As I drove into the parking lot I spotted Mia and her sisters getting out of her car. I hunk my horn and stop to speak to Mia.

"Good morning Eric, here to tell me that you are just a creep and you have to cancel on me." Mia said as I rolled down my window.

"Actually, Mia, I came to ask what time is your curfew. I would understand though if you want to back out. My looks can sometimes have a weird effect on girls, I would understand if this was just a side effect." I said ending in a smile to end world hunger. I knew it was that type of smile because Mia's sisters were giggling uncontrollably. Mia looked at them,probably giving them a message with their eyes, and they quickly stop the giggling.

"Your looks do have an effect on girls" Mia said walking closer to my car and me." it is causes a sickness deep in their stomachs. I am only going because I challenged you and I never go back on my word. " Mia ended turning around to walk off, her sisters looked at me then quickly ran to catch up with Mia.

I went to park the my pickup a couple spots down from Mia and walked up to the school. I decided that I would go visit Ms.Jones, so that she would know that I actually have an alarm clock. As I walked into the office, Mrs.Jones did a double take.

"Is that Mr.McDaniel, in school before the warning bell?!"

"Yes, I just wanted you to know that have an alarm clock and you don't have to drag me out in the morning."

"I guess I don't. Mia Thompson did it for me." she said flipping through her paperwork.

"You heard about that? Of course you did, you know everything. To be honest I don't know how this will end, she kind of scares me. " I said as I leaned against the desk.

"Don't know why you are scared of her, she is just like the rest of you teenagers, looking for the reason. One day, you , teens will understand that you have to stop looking for the reason." Mrs.Jones poetically stated. She looked up at me and then to the clock, "You going to class or do you want me to write you a late pass right now."

I looked at the clock and realized that I had about 3 minutes to get to my first period class. "I will be going, see you later Mrs.Jones." I said turning to leave, when I collided with my challenger, Mia.

"Sorry, I was in a hurry. But I can't wait to see you later tonight after the game." I said while helping her up and leaving out the door.

"I can't wait for the end of it." Mia yelled after me as I exited the office.

"Me either!" I said turning around raising my eyebrows to indicate what I vision the ending to be.

"Never going to happen" Mia said running her hand through her hair.

"I didn't say anything, Mia." I sad with a final smile and I was off to first period, which I barely made by the tip of my nose.

Mia:

"I collided with Eric for the second time today, on my way to say announcements ,and I am starting  to think that he is stalking me" I said to Ray during 7th period AP lit.

"Mia, could be that is the office and it is where students go to handle things. or he could be a love sick puppy who can't be without his love, aka Mia Thompson." Ray said as the teacher, who seems to never catch us talking, discuss the meaning behind Confucius sayings. " So, excited about your date tonight?"
"I am kind of afraid, actually."
"What?!!" Ray said almost loud enough for the class to turn to look at us.
"I don't know his deal, why he wants to go out with me. Some like the whole model thing, where others are curious about if I know any celebrities? I like to know what I am getting myself into."
"I think that you might be surprise." Ray said just as the teacher, Ms.K, called my name.

The last few hours of school went by quite quickly and before I knew it I was warming up at cheer practice. As the team was warming up all I heard was how cool it was that Eric was taking me out and also how if the boys win then the team would move to the regional tournament. If the basketball team went to regionals the cheerleaders would be able to tag along on the out of town overnight trip. 
"Inorder for the. is to win, we need to do our best to show the school spirit." I said opening up cheer practice. As we the girls were practicing the pyramid, the basketball team was taking  break. Eric ran up to me, grabbing me by my arm.

"What do you want?" I asked as he dragged me away from the squad.
"You never really answered my question this morning. What time is your curfew?" Eric said, sounding for the first time serious.

"Oh, I have to be home by 12:30, and I still have my car. I can have my mom or dad drive it home after the game. Unless you want me to drive myself  home, and where are we going anyways?" I said realizing we hadn't really discussed the actual logistics of the date at all.

" Umm.. you can have your parents take your car and there are two options depending on the way we win the game. If I make a last minute save or if we win by just taking a lead."

"That didn't answer my question at all"
"OK, how about it is a surprise, but it is in the city limits." Eric said and then ran off to his basketball practice. 
I went back to cheer leading practice and realizing that none of the girls were practicing but ease dropping on Eric and I 's conversation. I told them about how the way the team wins determines our date. So when it came game time, you never say a cheer leading squad focus on the game so keenly.
It was a tough game and Eric brought the team into the lead by a last minute dunk, I didn't know what that meant for our date,but I hoped it had food involved.